The Best Juices for When You Need a Quick Workout Recovery

September 27, 2017

Have you ever tried supplementing your fitness routine with something that’s designed to make you perform better, recover faster, and experience fewer feelings of muscle soreness and discomfort? We’re not talking about anything dangerous or illegal here. In fact, what we’re suggesting is an entirely natural solution to improving the impact of your next workout routine.

A lot of people consider juicing to be a fad diet, or something that celebrities use to get thinner faster. However, the truth is that getting the right juice into your system just after a grueling session at the gym could be just the solution you need to help you overcome DOMs, and make the most out of your experience.

For instance, did you know that cashew apple juice has been scientifically proven to be effective when it comes to minimizing levels of inflammation in cyclists, improving strength performance and enhancing endurance? In this article, we’re going to take a look at just some of the best juices you can use for a quicker, more effective recovery.

1. Tart Cherry Juice

If you’ve never heard of tart cherry juice and the benefits it has for workout recovery before, then where have you been? Tart cherries are a nutrition superfood, brimming with important nutrients that are designed to help your body fight back against cancer, improve heart health, and minimize inflammation at the same time.

While you should probably be aware that an 8-ounce glass of tart cherry juice contains about 140 calories, it’s worth noting that these delightful pieces of fruit are well worth the sugar-risk if you consume them in small doses. Tart cherries are rich in anthocyanins, which is a type of antioxidant that helps to fight back against disease.

For weightlifters and body builders, then anthocyanins in tart terry juice are also perfect for minimizing pain after workout and limiting inflammation too.

2. Beet Juice

While the idea of drinking beet juice might not be appealing to some people, we’re here to tell you that this incredible root can do amazing things for your workout. Research suggests that a shot of pre-workout beetroot juice could help to boost your endurance, so that your workout could last even longer than ever. At the same time, because beet juice is great for your heart, it can also help you to circulate blood more effectively around your body, reducing your risk of delayed onset muscle soreness.

Beetroot juice can be difficult to consume at first if you’re not used to the earthy flavor. If you need some help sweetening up the experience, you might consider adding a few apples, some citrus, or some carrot to the mix.

3. Watermelon Juice

What could be more refreshing than a delicious slice of watermelon after a rough workout routine? How about a glass of watermelon juice instead? Potassium is known for its incredible ability to improve recovery speeds and enhance the balance between levels of fluids and electrolytes in your system. Since watermelon is full of potassium, it can help you to get back on track after you’ve sweated most of the moisture out of your body.

Another substance that watermelon is full of is called “citrulline”. This product helps to reduce lactic acid buildup and ensure better circulation in your muscles. If you need a little extra energy with your watermelon mix, try putting a little citrus in there with about half a lemon, and half a lime.

4. Pickle Juice

Okay, so the idea of drinking pickle juice is probably even less appealing than drinking a glass full of beet juice, but wait until you hear the benefits. There’s a good chance that you’ve already heard of athletes using shots of pickle juice as a method of relieving muscle camps and pain after a workout. Pickle juice works incredibly fast when it comes to overcoming pain after a workout, and it doesn’t taste that bad either.

According to some research we can’t officially say that pickle juice is worth its weight in gold for fitness enthusiasts quite yet. However, there are plenty of physical therapists and professional athletes out there that swear by it – so it could be worth a shot.

5. Pineapple Juice

Last but not least, pineapple juice is rich in a special plant enzyme called “bromelain”. Experts believe that this substance is an effective anti-inflammatory which could make it particularly useful for people who feel swollen and sore after a day at the gym. At the same time, pineapple also comes with plenty of antioxidants and carbs – both of which are necessary for restoring your energy and getting you back onto your feet after a hard session.

To get the best out of all these substances, try mixing and matching a few for your post-workout recovery drink. For instance, pineapple juice could sweeten your watermelon mix, while you could consider adding tart cherry to beet juice for a powerful red blend.

Bio: Rebekah is a passionate writer and healthy-eating advocate. She’s always keen to try out the latest foods and recipes, explore new information about health and fitness, and expand her understanding of the world around her with constant learning.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions in this article belong to the author, Rebekah. No product or event mentioned is being promoted or sponsored. The information contained here is for the sake of general public information and interest.